Inside The World of Private Aviation: Flight CEOs Reveal Why Private Jet Travel is Soaring

Inside The World of Private Aviation: Flight CEOs Reveal Why Private Jet Travel is Soaring (Joerg Mangelsen from Pexels via Canva)As the old saying goes, "time is money". For busy executives who travel frequently, one of the most common complaints is a lack of time. That's why prioritizing convenience and hassle-free travel has become increasingly important in recent years, especially for time-strapped people who don't want to face unnecessary delays.

Flying private (especially during the holidays) has become a practical choice for high-net-worth travelers and corporate executives who want to avoid crowded terminals, long security lines, and the delays that come with the busiest travel weeks of the year. The days around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's are among the most congested of the year for air travel, and access to private aviation now extends well beyond outright aircraft ownership. Jet card programs, fractional shares, memberships, and on-demand charter give frequent flyers several entry points, each with its own cost structure and level of commitment.

Inside The World of Private Aviation: Flight CEOs Reveal Why Private Jet Travel Is Soaring

Commercial flying is also costing more, which makes the financial decision even more compelling. Average U.S. travel costs are 9% higher than a year ago, driven largely by a 22.4% jump in airfares, according to NerdWallet's Travel Price Index. Late December adds further strain: airlines typically raise capacity by about 4% while passenger volume climbs 11%, based on 2025 Cirium and IATA data. Business Traveller expects the 2026 season to be one of the most challenging for travelers since the height of the pandemic, citing strained infrastructure and geopolitical tensions.

In recent years, private aviation demand has climbed alongside those mounting pressures. The global business jet market is projected to reach $83.4 billion in 2026 and $113.4 billion by 2030, growing at a 7.9% compound annual rate. In North America, fractional flying rose 12.5% year over year as alternative models for accessing private aviation gained momentum. Private jet departures in North America are also up 5.2% year over year, with California, Texas, and Florida among the states seeing the biggest increases, according to aviation data company WingX.

To help travelers plan ahead for the holiday season, I spoke with two private aviation executives to learn their thoughts on when flying private makes financial sense, how to minimize holiday delays, how to choose between charter programs, and what first-time flyers should ask before booking.

Inside The World of Private Aviation: Flight CEOs Reveal Why Private Jet Travel Is Soaring – Barry Shevlin

Barry Shevlin is CEO of FlyUSA, a private aviation operator providing charter, aircraft management, fractional ownership, and membership services. FlyUSA ranked No. 639 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 with 538% three-year growth, marking the company's third consecutive appearance on the list.

FlyUSA grew from $22 million in revenue in 2022 to $73 million in 2025 and expects to reach approximately $110 million in 2026. Over that period, its team expanded from 25 employees to more than 100, and its client base grew from roughly 800 to more than 2,000.

For Shevlin, scaling a company in a growing market depends on building processes that hold up under that growth. "Sometimes you find yourself jumping back in to fix things. The key is to jump in when things are broken, but fix the process, not the problem," he says.

CLP: At what point does private charter actually make financial sense for a frequent traveler?

BS: "It makes financial sense to someone who really values their time and wants control of their schedule. Back in 2012, I bought one-third of a Citation Bravo. That was my first aircraft purchase. Having access to that aircraft allowed me to spend 20 or more nights a year sleeping in my own bed instead of in a hotel on the road. For me, that justified the cost."

Inside The World of Private Aviation: Flight CEOs Reveal Why Private Jet Travel Is Soaring

CLP: What's the biggest misconception affluent travelers still have about chartering?

BS: "The thing that frustrates clients the most is delays, specifically non-weather-related delays. When you are flying on a particularly busy day, like the day before Thanksgiving or the day after Christmas, the air traffic control system gets congested, and that results in delays. Flying private does not eliminate these delays, but with good planning you can certainly minimize the risk of them."

CLP: How far in advance should someone book a charter, and does last-minute ever work?

BS: "Last minute works, but it can be a bit more expensive. You typically get better pricing and availability if you book two to three weeks in advance."

Inside The World of Private Aviation: Flight CEOs Reveal Why Private Jet Travel Is Soaring

CLP: What's the difference between jet card programs, fractional ownership, and on-demand charter, and who is each right for?

BS: "It's mostly about frequency. If someone is only flying two or three times a year, they should just use an on-demand product. At more than three times a year, a jet card can start to make sense. You negotiate an hourly rate once, and you're set for five or six trips. Fractional ownership is a big commitment and is typically best for someone flying 50 hours or more a year who wants predictable pricing."

CLP: What should first-time private flyers know that they'd never think to ask?

BS: "Who is operating the plane? What safety ratings does the operator have? How much luggage can I bring? Where do we go at the airport to meet the plane?"

CLP: How is the definition of "luxury travel" shifting among high-net-worth clients?

BS: "I think the shift is that it's not about luxury. It's about time and control of your schedule."

Inside The World of Private Aviation: Flight CEOs Reveal Why Private Jet Travel Is Soaring – Mark Sellouk

Marc Sellouk is founder and CEO of Flyte, an on-demand aviation taxi service that primarily connects travelers through smaller regional airports. Flyte operates five Cirrus Vision Jets and has completed more than 250 flights over the past 14 months. A trip that takes four or five hours by car can sometimes become a 30- to 90-minute flight.

Several forces are driving demand: more permissive corporate travel policies, easier booking, and recent federal tax legislation that restored a provision allowing companies to fully depreciate private aircraft. Sellouk says technology, inefficient commercial air travel, and falling costs are turning private aviation, once largely reserved for billionaires, into a practical alternative for regional travelers.

CLP: Why does Flyte appeal to affluent travelers and corporate accounts?

MS: "Whether it's a CEO trying to visit multiple offices in one day or a family heading to Nantucket for the weekend, the biggest benefit is eliminating the friction of commercial travel. Instead of arriving hours early, going through TSA, connecting through major hubs, and renting a car at the destination, our customers typically arrive just minutes before departure and land much closer to where they actually need to be.

Corporate clients also appreciate our transparent pricing. Traditional jet cards and fractional ownership often involve large upfront commitments and variable costs. Our fixed-rate model gives finance teams predictable pricing without the complexity.

Last but not least, safety is a major differentiator. Every Vision Jet in our fleet includes the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System and Garmin Safe Return Emergency Autoland, giving both business travelers and families an additional level of confidence."

Inside The World of Private Aviation: Flight CEOs Reveal Why Private Jet Travel Is Soaring

CLP: How is the service beneficial to clients, and how does it differ from other private aviation companies?

MS: "Many private aviation companies were built around larger business jets designed for coast-to-coast missions. That's a great solution for long-haul travel, but it's often unnecessary for a regional flight.

Flyte was built for regional air mobility. By operating the Cirrus Vision Jet, we serve thousands of smaller airports that larger aircraft either can't access efficiently or simply don't use. That means customers can fly much closer to where they're actually going while avoiding congested commercial airports.

Just as importantly, we've modernized the booking experience. Instead of requesting quotes, negotiating prices, or committing to expensive memberships, customers receive instant, transparent pricing through our platform. We believe booking private aviation should be as straightforward as booking any modern premium travel experience."

Inside The World of Private Aviation: Flight CEOs Reveal Why Private Jet Travel Is Soaring

CLP: What types of trips can clients book, and what is the booking process like for first-time flyers?

MS: "Most of our flights operate within a roughly 300- to 400-mile radius, which includes routes like New York to Nantucket or destinations throughout South Florida. They're typically one- to two-hour trips where driving or commercial travel can easily consume an entire day.

When we launched Flyte, we set out to modernize private aviation by replacing an outdated booking process with transparent, upfront pricing. Our digital platform allows up to four passengers to charter a full aircraft weeks in advance or with as little as 24 to 48 hours' notice, with most flights ranging from $6,250 one way to $8,250 round trip.

First-time clients are often most struck by how effortless private aviation is in practice. They arrive at the private terminal, walk directly to the aircraft, meet the pilot, and are airborne within minutes. Once travelers experience that level of efficiency, the contrast with commercial travel becomes immediately clear."

As the holiday season quickly approaches, the message from both CEOs is clear: if you're looking to save time, then booking private aviation is definitely worth considering.

[Header image: Joerg Mangelsen from Pexels via Canva; Article images c/o FlyUSA and Flyte.]